BALTIMORE, Jan. 19, 2018 – Greater Baltimore Committee President & CEO Donald C. Fry, responding to Mayor Pugh’s decision to make a change at the top level of the Baltimore Police Department said:

“The Greater Baltimore Committee agrees with Mayor Catherine Pugh that public safety, reducing violent crime and homicides, and restoring trust between the neighborhoods and Baltimore Police Department must be the city’s top priority. The most basic responsibility of government is to provide for the safety and well-being of its citizens. I commend the Mayor for taking bold action to stem the public safety crisis that has plagued the city. The Mayor’s selection of Deputy Commissioner Darryl D. DeSousa is an excellent one. He is very capable of providing strong leadership to the Baltimore Police Department.”

“He is widely respected by fellow officers, and has a deep understanding of the difficult challenges police officers face in the fight against violent crime.”

“Darryl DeSousa rose up through the ranks of the department and knows Baltimore. He can ably lead the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department who the city is indebted to for their service. As the son of a BPD Police Sergeant, I know and appreciate how difficult a job it is to serve as a police officer. Police Commissioner-designee DeSousa is the right leader for our city and community. I look forward to working with him and Mayor Pugh to make Baltimore the safest city in America.”

Fry and Tiburzi stated the GBC is committed to working with him and his leadership team at this pivotal time for the city and stands ready to lend its expertise and full support on this high priority issue.